Columbus Regional Health is anticipating a drop-off in demand for COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks, reflecting similar trends seen nationwide that show declining interest in the shots.
Currently, CRH officials expect the hospital system’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Columbus to remain at or near capacity through early May, administering 330 to 350 doses each day until then, said spokeswoman Kelsey DeClue.
But things could start to change after that.
“Through the end of this month into early May, we’re still booked at capacity,” DeClue said. “…But we are starting to see those appointments drop off as we get into mid- to late-May.”
The update from CRH comes as health officials across the country prepare to respond to vaccine hesitancy, as demand has eclipsed supply as the constraining factor to vaccinations in much of the country, The Associated Press reported.
Some places around the country are already finding there’s such little interest in the shots that they need to turn down vaccine shipments, according to wire reports.
And some potential signs of vaccine hesitancy have already started to surface locally.
Last week, 570 fewer Bartholomew County residents received their first COVID-19 shot compared to the week before, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
The 2,024 first doses administered last week was the lowest seven-day total since the week of Feb. 28.
Earlier this month, the Jackson County Health Department decided to move a mass vaccination clinic from Seymour High School to the health department’s office because demand was much lower than anticipated, said Lynn Montgomery, the department’s public health coordinator.
“We were prepared to administer 700 doses, but the response was not what we anticipated, and so we ended up doing less than 100,” Montgomery said.
A mass vaccination clinic held around the same time at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds fared much better, but still gave out 376 fewer shots than the 1,300 doses that officials had said they were prepared to administer.
Currently, the Bartholomew County Health Department is seeing some vaccine appointments go unfilled or people not show up, said Amanda Organist, the department’s director of nursing.
“We do continue to call individuals on a wait list or those who have upcoming appointments to see if they can come at the end of the clinic to avoid any waste,” Organist said. “So far, this has worked out for us.”
Locally, officials say there has been less uptake so far among younger residents, many of whom believing they are at a lower risk of severe illness or hospitalization, DeClue said.
As of Monday morning, a total of 31,711 Bartholomew County residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or about 38% of the county’s total population, according to state records.
Additionally, 22,473 Bartholomew County residents were fully vaccinated as of Monday morning, or nearly 27% of the population.
That is still well below 70% to 80%, the threshold that many public health officials believe is needed to stop uncontrolled spread of COVID-19.
“It is concerning because clearly we’re not even close to that percentage that we need to be at for herd immunity, or, to be honest, even to feel comfortable, if there is such a thing,” DeClue said. “We definitely want to reinvigorate our efforts to continue to keep pushing the vaccine.”
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A total of 22 Bartholomew County residents received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this past weekend after state health officials resumed use of the shots. The Johnson & Johnson vaccinations resumed this past weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where those seeking vaccination may choose between Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
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Hoosiers age 16 and older, along with healthcare workers, long-term care residents, teachers and first responders are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To schedule, visit https://ourshot.in.gov or call 211.
Vaccine is available at two mass vaccination sites this week. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering both Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines through Thursday. Appointments are preferred, but drive-ups are accepted. On Friday, families with children age 16 and older are encouraged to visit the speedway to receive the first dose of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. Second-dose appointments will be scheduled at the time of the first dose.
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